Forest Whitaker’s Broadway Debut in ‘Hughie’ Canceled Due to Low Ticket Sales

It looks like Forest Whitaker’s Broadway debut is not going to be a long one. Originally scheduled to run till June 12, the revival of Eugene O'Neill's Hughie will close later this month after only 55 performances which preview performances. The early closure is reportedly due to lack of advanced ticket sales, despite positive reviews.

Hughie producers released a statement about the early closure, saying (via Deadline):

“Due to limited advance ticket sales following highly positive reviews and Critic’s Picks from The New York Times, Associated Press, The Washington Post, USA Today and Newsday, Eugene O’Neill’s Hughie will play three more weeks, with its final performance at Broadway’s Booth Theatre on Sunday, March 27, 2016. The production will have played 55 performances.”

Hughie was originally written in 1942 and made it’s world premiere in 1958, when it was staged in Sweden at the Royal Dramatic Theatre with Bengt Eklund as Erie. It was first performed in English in in 1963 at the Theater Royal in Bath, England and starred Burgess Meredith as Erie. Hughie didn’t make it to Broadway until 1964. The original Broadway production starred Jason Robards. Robards won a Tony Award for his performance as Erie.

What do you think of Hughie’s closure? Were you surprised by the announcement? Have you gotten a chance to see the show? Let us know your thoughts on the subject section at the bottom of the page.